Emma Thompson and Kevin Kline have the joined the cast of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the studio announced Monday.
Bill Condon is directing the live-action fairy tale, which stars Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans. Josh Gad is also in negotiations to co-star.
Thompson will play Mrs. Potts, while Kline will play Belle’s father, Maurice.
Eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards for the 1991 animated classic, will score the film, which will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice.
Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing the film, which was written by Stephen Chbosky. Production begins in May at Shepperton Studios in London.
Disney will release “Beauty and the Beast” in 3D on March 17, 2017.